The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), the economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), urged the Central Government on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) to remain firm on India’s energy policy and reject all attempts by the United States to use tariffs as leverage over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
The organisation was reacting to recent U.S. Senate legislation that would authorise the U.S. President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries making significant purchases of Russian oil.
“SJM fully supports the Government of India’s stand on the issue that India’s purchase of Russian crude oil is based on considerations of energy security, availability, price, diversification of supplies and the interests of Indian consumers. India has time and again made it clear that our sovereign right to purchase energy from legitimate international markets cannot be dictated by any third country,” said SJM National Co Convener, Ashwani Mahajan.
Threat to free trade
He added that the unilateral tariffs could undermine free and fair international trade and create uncertainty for exporters, importers, investors and consumers. He also argued that Russian crude has helped diversify India’s oil supplies and contain energy costs.
The organisation linked the proposed tariff measures to ongoing India-U.S. trade negotiations, arguing that discussions between the two countries should be based on equality, reciprocity and mutual respect rather than the threat of punitive duties.
“If one powerful country is allowed to impose punitive tariffs on another country for buying goods from a third country, the principle of sovereign economic decision-making itself comes under threat,” said Mr. Mahajan.
He also criticised recent policy changes concerning foreign investment in e-commerce and the proposed framework allowing banks and payment providers to levy merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions. He claimed the measures could benefit U.S.-based companies and weaken Indian businesses and digital-payment platforms.
Calling for a stronger response to Washington’s actions, SJM urged the government to reconsider the e-commerce policy change, withhold the MDR-related legislation, and reject any demand affecting India’s agriculture, dairy sector, energy security or strategic autonomy.
The organisation also called for a boycott of American products and services.
“Boycott products like Pepsi and Coke, social media firms, and e-Commerce platforms belonging to U.S. companies, to start with. If the U.S. continues to act against India’s interests, this boycott can be extended to services of other U.S. giants as well,” said Mr. Mahajan.
Published – August 13, 2026 05:56 am IST
